Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Last Saturday was the big day for Haloween parties, so Ryan and I did it up right!!!!

I scrambled to find someone to come in and work a few hours for me Saturday night, because I had forgotten that it was almost Halloween!!! Where has his month gone???????

Anyway, I came up with this spiel about how they could get paid for four hours and just work for two because of the way our call system works. I had to throw in a few batting eyelashes and tales of how I would make it up to them, but I finally found someone, so I left work at 9:00 PM to start my adventures!!!

We had a couple friends come in from Indy to celebrate with us. It's always great to see our friends from out of town.......speaking of which, why didn't I see you on Saturday Trollimack????

We started out at a party thrown by one of the guys that works in the emergency room. I always like to see the people I work with out of the serious environment of the hospital. Especially in costume!!!! They actually loosen up quite a bit at those parties :-)

It was pretty fun, but the real fun started when we hit Bobby Blue's house out in West Middleton. Who would've ever thought that one of the best parties around was in OUR little town?!?!? Bobby lives in the old brick schoolhouse just a couple houses west of us. Most of you are probably familiar with it. In fact, I think maybe someone in our family went to school there...I'm not sure, but it seems like I've heard that somewhere before.

Bobby is an artist and musician. That's how he earns his living....so he has devoted the entire upstairs of that building into an art gallery and a recording studio. One end has a stage with a big soundboard (which our second cousin, Mark Mayfield was running) and the other end has his art studio....it's really cool what he's done to the place.

It was also a party for our friends Will and Amy who got married not long ago, so they were the dead bride and groom....very appropriate :-) Ryan and I won second place in the costume contest that we didn't even know was happening. We just heard our names announced from the stage and then got pushed up there by a bunch of people. I gave out little junk toys for my Halloween party for prizes.....Will and Amy hooked us up though!!! I was expecting a rubber rat or something, and instead, we got a $50.00 gift card for Simon Mall!!!! Yeah for us!!!

So, here are a few of the pictures....I have so many, it's hard to choose which ones to post, so I'm sorry if this gets too long and drawn out for everyone...... Clint was "Cardinal Sin". This picture shows the stage a little in the background at Bobby Blue's house!! There were a couple different bands that played that night. There's a dance floor up there too, so Ryan and I had a great time dancing with everyone. It was so much fun!! I think I like Halloween better now than I did when I was a kid!!

Here is our second cousin, Mark Mayfield...it was weird seeing him there. I haven't seen him in several years. He and Michael used to play in a band together, so that's shows you how long it's been.

Ryan had no idea I was taking this picture. I was actually standing up on a chair taking pics of the crowd, and he was on the other side of the room. I'm not sure what he's doing here, but he was totally in character all night long. He even brought a bottle of Sake and was sharing it with everyone....it was hilarious. His costume is a Kabuki Samauri. The Kabuki is famous for their dramatic fighting styles, and also in the 17th century, mainly, the Kabuki did a lot of entertainment in Japan. In the Kabuki dramas, the men were the only ones to act. So, all the female characters were played by men...........

As you can see, our friend Brook put a lot of thought into his costume!!!

He even wrote "BOO" by his mouth...he should've won first place in that contest, dang it!!!!!

Sunday, October 29, 2006

What do I have in common with Rudy Giuliani, John Kerry, Bob Dole, JoeTorre, Nelson Mandela, Sean Connery, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, EmperorAkihito of Japan, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Colin Powell, QuincyJones, Roger Moore, Sydney Poitier, and Robert De Niro?

Like them, and along with thousands of other men, I have beendiagnosed with prostate cancer. Since my liver transplant, my health has been monitored by a crack team of doctors; in the course of this program, I have periodic blood tests and clinic visits. At my last clinic, my doctor noticed that myPSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) levels had increased over the lastperiod. He recommended that I see a urologist, and a biopsy confirmedthe diagnosis. I have decided to have it removed in early December with da Vinci robotic surgery. Since we've caught it very early, and it's small and slow-growing, I fully expect to have a rapid and complete recovery.

I am feeling energetic as always, and all my scheduled appearanceswill occur as planned. As you know, I urge everyone to become an organ donor to help save lives. Now, I am also urging all men: speak to your doctor abouthaving periodic regular PSA screening for early detection of prostatecancer- you may save your own life.

-PHIL

As some of you may already know, Phil was the recipient of a liver transplant a few years ago. He has looked better and better every time I have seen him lately. The prognosis sounds good, but please keep him in you prayers.....................

Friday, October 27, 2006

It is a fabulous Friday night in Kokomo, you know!!!! It's payday...and I'm headin' to Wal-Mart!!!

I can't wait to see all the women at Wal-Mart in spandex and oversized t-shirts. They'll probably have all twelve of their children with them. AND they won't have coats on. Their hair will be mangled and matted, and six of the twelve will definitely have something that resembles dirt around their mouths and all over their fingers. If I'm lucky, there may be a little color to it, so I can assume it came from that package of gummy bears that MOM just let them open in the aisle and eat all the way through the store. They might even leave a trail for me incase I get lonely and suddenly feel the need for twelve screaming children to comfort me. I'm sure the kids will ALL find something they just can't live without, and as they scream wildly while MOM pulls them away from it, I'll get to hear her loud mouth telling them how she and their daddy, and their uncle, and her grandpa are all going to beat them senseless when they get home......In all honesty, I wish she'd do it now, so I don't have to hear about it!!!!

I can't wait to see who pulls their cart out infront of me first, making me come to a complete hault while they meander out in front of me not even realizing I am there. These are the same people that pull out in front of us on the highways, and have no idea they just about had my hood up their ass. And to make it even better, they will definitely be talking on their cell phones. Probably to the person they're with, who happens to be blocking the other end of the aisle....now I'm stuck...and I think my head is going to explode from all the waves from their cell phones......wait, in fact, I think I can see that growth on the side of that lady's head now.....i'm sure it's radiation damage from her cell phone..............

I can't wait to see the greeter with his half smile/ half smirk. They always seem so unhappy considereing all the beautiful and glamorous people they get to encounter in a days time. I can't wait until the greeter looks at me funny like I should have something for them to put their little sticker on so I can return it or something......nope.....sorry buddy, you're just here simply to annoy me and make me talk as I walk into the wild world of Wal-Mart. Actaully, the only time I'm glad to see those people is on my way OUT!!!!!

Oh wait, I also can't wait to see the teenagers who aren't quite old enough to drive yet, and have nothing better to do than go hang out at Wal-Mart for the night!!! So, rather than have some family time at home, their stupendous parents will drop them off and let Wal-Mart babysit for the night. They might even walk in a big enough group I can't get around them with my cart....I may just have to clip a heel or something. They will all be in their black GOTH outfits, and they will probably be really annoyed when I walk past them and laugh.......I like those groups of kids who think they've got you intimidated just because there's more of them than there is of you. Oh they don't stand a chance if they're in my way at Wal-Mart....I'll take 'em out one heel at a time if I have to!!!

OH OH OH!!!!! I really can't wait for the husband who is out shopping for God only knows what reason. Maybe his wife is pulling a cruel joke on the rest of us. He'll block the soup aisle for twenty minutes trying to find a stupid can of Campbell's chicken and noodle soup. When he gets to the produce aisle....watch out....he doesn't even know what half this stuff is. Here comes the cell phone again. "Um, Honey.........what did you say those kumquats looked like again?????" Regardless of what he's saying, I'll feel the uncontrolable urge to pick up what he's looking for and clock him in the head with it.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

I need to get busy with my camera before it's too late to catch the leaves. My yard is full of them. My big tree is almost bare.

Ryan and I are planning a trip to southern Indiana in two weeks, but I think a lot of the leaves will have already fallen by then. Regardless, we will be out with our cameras. We are going with a couple friends of ours. We are going to stop at the Oliver Winery and then go a little further south and stop at a couple more before stopping around Bedford for the night. Wes and Amber have never been to any other winery beside the Oliver, so I'm looking forward to showing some friends who also appreciate wine around our wine country. We have tons of beautiful wineries in Indiana.

While I was driving to work today, I had the song "Moondance" by Van Morrison in my head. It made me really look around and appreciate the beautiful day.............

MOONDANCEWith the stars up above in your eyesA fantabulous night to make romance'neath the color of October skies.

And all the leaves on the trees are fallingTo the sound of the breezes that blowAnd I'm trying to please to the callingOf your heartstrings that play soft and low.

You know the nights magic, seems to whisper and hush,You know the soft moonlight, seem to shine-In your blushCan I just have one more moondance with you-my love?Can I just make some more romance with you-my love?

Well I wanna make love to you tonight,I can't wait till the morning has comeAnd I know now the time is just right,and straight into my arms you will run.

And when you come my heart will be waiting,to make sure that you're never aloneThere and then all my dreams will come true dear,There and then I will make you my own.

And everytime I touch you-you just tremble insidethen I know how much you want to want me that-you cant hideCan I just have one more moondance with you-my love?Can I just make some more romance with you-my love?

Well it's a marvelous night for a moondanceWith the stars up above in your eyesA fantabulous night for making romance'neath the color of October skies.

And all the leaves on the trees are fallingTo the sound of the breezes that blowAnd I'm trying to please to the callingOf your heartstrings that play soft and low.

You know the nights magic, seems to whisper and hushYou know the soft moonlight, seems to shine-In your blushCan I just have one more moondance with you-my love?Can I just make some more romance with you-my love?

One more moondance with you... in the moonlighton a magic night......in the moonlighton a magic nightcan I just have one more moondance with you- my love

Saturday, October 21, 2006

One of the things I love about living in the country is the fact that all the people are so friendly. When I'm out on my country drives I love it when another driver passes me and waves. Or you drive past someone walking their dog, or riding their horse, and they wave.

I remember asking my dad as a child, "Did you know them?" when he would wave at someone, and he'd say, "Nope, that's just whatcha do when you're in the country." That makes me smile :-)

One of my biggest pet peeves is when you give someone the right of way in a one lane area...like the bridge on Markland by the jail.....for all you Kokomo folks....and they don't wave. Or you get the right of way and wave at them, but they don't wave back. All I want is a little recognition. Am I really asking too much???

So yeah, that's one of my little thoughts for the day.....I'm gonna go find some nice country folks to wave to on my way home.........

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Ryan and I have been on a Supranos kick lately. Since we don't have cable, we pick a series and go crazy with it until it's over and start something new.

I have loved The Supranos ever since it first came out several years ago. Michael and I used to have "Supranos Parties" every Sunday night when the new episodes would come on. I'm more addicted to it that I could ever be to soap opera. Then again, I guess it's really a soap opera with a little different twist.........but at least when someone dies in the Supranos, they stay dead!!!

Because of our addiction to this show, I have become obsurdly obsessed with reading about the mafia. There is a fellow named Crazy Joey Gallo that is mentioned once in awhile in the show, so I decided to look him up and research his ties. (The name caught my attention)

Apperently, he was the "boss" of the Gallo family for several years, and there are endless stories about his "business" and life. He was well known for his interactions with the black folks in Brooklyn, and saw them and their underground businesses as another form of profit.

In my research of Joey Gallo, I came across a website that also mentioned Jerry Garcia and Bob Dyaln......seemed like a strange combination on one site until I realized that Bob Dyaln wrote a song about Joey Gallo that Jerry had often sung with him.

Here goes...................

Born in Red Hook, Brooklyn, in the year of who knows whenOpened up his eyes to the tune of an accordionAlways on the outside of whatever side there wasWhen they asked him why it had to be that way,"Well," he answered, "just because.

"Larry was the oldest, Joey was next to last.They called Joe "Crazy," the baby they called "Kid Blast."Some say they lived off gambling and runnin' numbers too.It always seemed they got caught between the mob and the men in blue.

Joey, Joey,King of the streets,child of clay.

Joey, Joey,What made them want to come and blow you away?There was talk they killed their rivals, but the truth was far from thatNo one ever knew for sure where they were really at.

When they tried to strangle Larry, Joey almost hit the roof.He went out that night to seek revenge, thinkin' he was bulletproof.The war broke out at the break of dawn, it emptied out the streetsJoey and his brothers suffered terrible defeats

Till they ventured out behind the lines and took five prisoners.They stashed them away in a basement, called them amateurs.The hostages were tremblin' when they heard a man exclaim,"Let's blow this place to kingdom come, let Con Edison take the blame.

"But Joey stepped up, he raised his hand, said, "We're not those kind of men.It's peace and quiet that we need to go back to work again.

"Joey, Joey,King of the streets,child of clay.

Joey, Joey,What made them want to come and blow you away?

The police department hounded him, they called him Mr. SmithThey got him on conspiracy, they were never sure who with."What time is it?" said the judge to Joey when they met"Five to ten," said Joey.The judge says, "That's exactly what you get."

He did ten years in Attica, reading Nietzsche and Wilhelm ReichThey threw him in the hole one time for tryin' to stop a strike.His closest friends were black men 'cause they seemed to understandWhat it's like to be in society with a shackle on your hand.

When they let him out in '71 he'd lost a little weightBut he dressed like Jimmy Cagney and I swear he did look great.He tried to find the way back into the life he left behindTo the boss he said, "I have returned and now I want what's mine."

Joey, Joey,King of the streets,child of clay.

Joey, Joey,Why did they have to come and blow you away?

It was true that in his later years he would not carry a gun"I'm around too many children," he'd say, "they should never know of one."Yet he walked right into the clubhouse of his lifelong deadly foe,Emptied out the register, said, "Tell 'em it was Crazy Joe."

One day they blew him down in a clam bar in New YorkHe could see it comin' through the door as he lifted up his fork.He pushed the table over to protect his familyThen he staggered out into the streets of Little Italy.

Joey, Joey,King of the streets,child of clay.

Joey, Joey,What made them want to come and blow you away?

Sister Jacqueline and Carmela and mother Mary all did weep.I heard his best friend Frankie say, "He ain't dead, he's just asleep."Then I saw the old man's limousine head back towards the graveI guess he had to say one last goodbye to the son that he could not save.

The sun turned cold over President Street and the town of Brooklyn mournedThey said a mass in the old church near the house where he was born.And someday if God's in heaven overlookin' His preserveI know the men that shot him down will get what they deserve.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Has anyone been east down Syacamore street since they opened it up??

Yesterday was the first day I've been able to take that route for months, and I saw a big surprise while I was driving.

I think it's kind of cool, but I know Grammy and maybe Sissy will probably be upset. Apparently, they have made the old house that the family used to live in into a haunted house for this year. It's the second house east of The Seiberling Mansion. The same one that Aunt Jill took Grammy and Sissy through when it was up for sale last year.

I'm sure that it is probably going to be trashed inside, so I hope that is just the beginning of them refinishing some things. Grammy said it looked horrible when she was in it last year.

I thik it would be interesting to go through the haunted house, but I'm sure I'd get a much better idea of how it really was if I could see it without all the Halloween stuff.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

John Lennon would have been 66 years old on October 9th, 2006. What a shame it is that he is not here to celebrate. However, he left with the world a legacy that can not be compared. He often crosses my mind.... wondering what he would have to say about this world today. I think most of us have a pretty good idea.

I still remember the day that Lennon died. It was the first time I ever saw my dad cry. That is still a very strong image in my mind's eye.

This is a short video of John's 31st birthday party. It's strange to think he accoplished so much, and touched so many lives in his few years on this earth......makes my 31 years here seem pretty trivial.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcshoQ5C71s

Saturday, October 07, 2006

We had a bonfire on Monday night for my birthday....we do that a lot, but it's always more fun if there's reason to invite people over.

There weren't many people there, but we had lots of fun anyway!! I had gotten a couple bottle of wine for my birthday, so I worked on those most of the night, and of course the guys were all drinking BEER.....YUCK!!!

Cousin Aaron came over, a few neighbors, and my friend Mandy. We sat by the fire laughing and talking until about midnight, and the boys decided they were bored.....so out came the RED RYDER BB gun. Yes, it's the same gun as the kid had in "A Christmas Story." Luckily, none of us have shot our eye out ...YET!!!!

After passing it around a few times, my neighbors brought over their BB guns, and we had a shoot out!! OK, not really, we just shot at beer bottles, and the speed limit sign that's right by my house.

What can I say? There's really not much to do in West Middleton on a Monday night, so we burn things and shoot things. Wow, that sounds kinda violent, but I promise it's all in good fun. Cindy's daughter, Konnie, came over for awhile. She's almost sixteen, so she makes fun of us a lot for what we find amusing........I found it rather amusing that I got a picture of her with all the beer bottles at HER feet, and she's not even old enough to drink :-) Anyway, my birthday celebration just keeps on going!!! This coming weekend we're having a party for Cindy and me. Her birthday is on the 14th, and that was the closest weekend I had off around my birthday...so we're gonna sing some karaoke and dance until the sun comes up!!!!

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Ryan bought tickets for me for my birthday for another Ekoostik Hookah show in Columbus, Ohio. So, this past Saturday, we started yet another road trip following the SCHWA. (That's what they call their logo which is an upside down lower case "e") So, yes, that's what we do....we follow the SCHWA.

The weather Saturday was a little scary as we were heading into Ohio. There were blue skies on one side of us, and BLACK skies on the other. At one point, the clouds were all swirling around so much that we were sure we were about to see a tornado....it was beautiful in a really scary way!!!Just before we got into Columbus, the sun peeked out behind us. It was blinding from my rear view mirror, but it was really cool up against the dark clouds.

After getting into town, we ate dinner with a couple friends at a nice little brewery. Ryan loved that, being the beer connoisseur that he is. After dinner, we headed over to The Newport ( the venue where they had the show.) There was an opening band, but we on ly caught the last couple songs of theirs. They were a local Columbus band called "Guest." I didn't mind their music, but I was so excited to see my boys that I felt like they couldn't quit playing soon enough!!!

I had the chance to talk to Dave (the keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist) for a little while before the show. It's so awesome that these guys are so involed with their fans. Most of us who stand up front at all the shows know eachother's names now, and the band knows all of us too. That makes it so much fun.

I was really excited to hear Eric sing the song "Carabou." That was my birthday wish...just to hear Eric sing...he melts my heart...and he knows it :-) I also got what he called my "birthday picture" with him holding me...I'm so glad Ryan is so understanding about my guilty pleasure!!!!

The show was outstanding. They played several of our favorite songs, and they also covered an old Neil Young tune called "Cripple Creek Ferry," which I absolutely love. My butt and legs are still killing me 4 days later from dancing my tail off. But, hey, it's good exercise!!!

After the show, we went to an after party and hung out with a couple members of the band. Eric was there, so I was in seventh heaven, because I got to hang out with MY MAN!!!! We hung out by a bon fire and had a few drinks. I got to meet several people that I have talked to through the Ekoostik Hookah mailing list, so that was pretty cool. Made a lot of new friends.

We finally made it to bed at about 5:00 A.M. We stayed at our friend Michelle's house, so we didn't have to fork out any money for a hotel room....I'm tellin' ya, it's good gettin' in close with these people. We're in Ohio so much that it's nice to have a few free places to stay when we go there.

Anyway, that was Saturday night, and that was just the beginning of my birthday celebration...it continued through Monday night. I'll try to blog a little about that for ya later...I've got some fun pictures.

All I know for sure is the fact that I do NOT feel 31 years old...and I'm gonna keep playing as long as my little body will let me!!!!!

Attics of my Life

About Me

I am a 33 year old female going on 16. I still get carded for cigarettes. I'm finally getting to the age that I appreciate that.
I am an x-ray technologist and also the clinical instructor for the school of radiography for St. Vincent Hospital. Basically that means I teach people how to become an x-ray tech.
I have 3 mini dachshunds and a big fat beagle. Those are my children.
I'm a struggling guitar novice, but I love to pick around. I also play a little piano.
I love to go to concerts and festivals. I love to travel, even though I don't go very far very often.
My husband and I volunteer for a no-kill animal rescue in our hometown. We have been foster parents for several animals, and helped them find their new forever homes.
Living life to its fullest is my daily goal.